Explore the winter charm of Echigo-Yuzawa, a paradise for ski lovers!
"Going through the long tunnel across the county line is the Snow Country."
This classic sentence from the Japanese writer Kawabata Yasunari describes the town of Yuzawa in Niigata Prefecture. It is famous as a hot spring town and ski resort, attracting countless ski enthusiasts to make pilgrimages every winter. 🏂 What exactly is the charm of Yuzawa? Let Ao Doulang take you to find out!
The snow country described by the writer, a paradise for bathing and skiing
Yuzawa is the stage of Kawabata Yasunari's novel "Snow Country". The snow scenery and hot springs described in the novel still attract people to this day. It is rich in hot spring resources and is a well-known hot spring area in Japan. You can soak in the hot springs while admiring the charming snow scenery outside the window and enjoy the relaxation of body, mind and soul. ♨️ In addition to soaking in hot springs, Echigo-Yuzawa is also a paradise for ski enthusiasts. There are many ski resorts here. Whether you are a novice or an experienced skier, you can find a ski trail that suits you. ⛷️
Convenient transportation, the best choice for first time skiing
The transportation from Tokyo to Echigo-Yuzawa is very convenient
- Direct Shinkansen: Taking the Joetsu Shinkansen, you can reach Echigo-Yuzawa Station in as little as 70 minutes.
- JR Pass: With the JR Tokyo Wide Pass, you can take the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Echigo-Yuzawa, which is very cost-effective!
- Local transportation: After arriving at Echigo-Yuzawa Station, you can take a bus or train to various ski resorts and attractions.
Because the transportation is so convenient, Echigo-Yuzawa is very suitable for first-time skiers! You can easily reach the ski resort without the hassle of traveling and have your first skiing experience. 😊
Did you know? At the peak of Japan's skiing craze, the number of ski tourists in Echigo-Yuzawa was as high as 8.18 million. At that time, it was even nicknamed "Yuzawa Town, Tokyo"! 😲 Although the number of skiers has declined in recent years, there were still 1.86 million skiers last season, which shows that Echigo-Yuzawa is still the first choice for many ski enthusiasts.
There are ski resorts for you to choose from, there is always one that suits you
There are many ski resorts in Echigo-Yuzawa, and the following table lists some popular choices:
|
ski resort |
2024-25 Snow season business hours | feature |
|---|---|---|
| Iwahara | 2024/12/21 - 2025/03/30 | The snow trails are wide and gentle, suitable for snowboard beginners |
| Yuzawa Nakazato | 2024/12/21 - 2025/03/30 | With a windproof magic carpet, it is one of the most suitable ski resorts for beginners to ski. |
| Ishiuchi Maruyama | 2024/12/20 - 2025/04/06 | There are many delicious restaurants to choose from, and there are also online beauty tents to experience |
| Maiko | 2024/12/20 - 2025/03/30 | The cable car can go directly to the top of the mountain, and the descent distance is quite long in one trip. |
| Kagura | 2024/11/23 - 2025/05/12 | Famous for its powder snow, it is one of the ski resorts with the highest snowfall in Japan. The snow season lasts for almost half a year. |
| Joetsu International | 2024/12/07 - 2025/04/06 | Japan’s largest single ski resort |
| Naeba | 2024/12/14 - 2025/04/06 | Operated by Prince Hotel, you can ski in ski out easily and conveniently |
| God establishes | 2024/12/20 - 2025/04/13 | Night skating is open until midnight |
| GALA | 2024/12/13 - 2025/05/06 | The Shinkansen is directly in the ski resort, and the transportation is very convenient |
| NASPA | 2024/12/20 - 2025/03/31 | Pure ski resort, suitable for learning to ski and snowboard |
When to go skiing? Know the best time to ski
The ski season in Echigo-Yuzawa generally runs from December to April. Different months have their own advantages and disadvantages, and you can adjust them according to your own needs:
| advantage | shortcoming | |
| December (beginning of season) | Can relieve the addiction to skiing early | However, the snow conditions are unstable and you may not be able to ski. |
| January and February (peak season) | There is a high chance of snow and a lot of snow, so you can enjoy powder snow to your heart’s content. | The temperature is cold, the snow conditions are changeable, and it is easy to freeze. There are many tourists, and the prices of accommodation and restaurants are high. |
| March (end of quarter) | The temperature is getting warmer, the snow is soft, suitable for beginners, and there are fewer tourists | It won’t snow much after March, so there’s little chance of seeing it. |
| April (the real end of the quarter) | There are few tourists and accommodation is cheap. Restaurant easy to book a table | The snow quality is poor, and only two ski resorts, Kagura and GALA, are open for the entire month. |
Aodulang Ski School: Your best partner for skiing
Want to have a great skiing experience in Yuzawa? Welcome to Aodulang Ski School’s courses! Our professional instructor team will take you step by step to learn skiing, allowing you to quickly master skiing skills and enjoy skiing safely and happily! Our professional instructors provide private ski lessons, whether you are a beginner or an experienced skier, you can find a lesson that suits you.
Echigo-Yuzawa is a charming snow country. Whether you want to experience exciting skiing or enjoy relaxing hot springs, this place can meet your needs. Also because of its convenient transportation, it is very suitable for travelers who want to experience skiing for the first time. Next time you plan a ski trip, why not put Echigo-Yuzawa on your pocket list? 😊
